World's best DAD!

The clock was about to stuck 1:00 am when David entered home. The sweat beads on his forehead and his untucked shirt clearly revealed how tedious his day was. He brushed aside the hairs falling on his forehead and walked towards the stairs. He saw light in the office room and peeped in through the narrow door slit. It was Jennie, his wife. She glared to the laptop screen and punched the keys hard. He checked his wrist watch for the time and threw a look of exasperation to her. He headed forward. He neared a small room, painted with pink. The room where barbies have occupied all the four corners. Toys were everywhere seen in the room. The crayons were out from the box and sheets of drawing were lying on the floor. In one corner, laid a carton full of gift packets with video games. Inside this ‘messy-room’ slept his angel, Maria, tightly hugging her favourite toy bear Ben. He slowly sat on the bed and caressed her. He adjusted the quilt and gently kissed her cheek. Her cheeks were wet and eyes were puffy and small. Her pillow was also wet. She may have cried, like everyday. He sighed. May be because she is feeling solitude even amidst this crowd of toys. May be she is longing for her parents' love. May be she is expecting their concern and care. Its not a “may be”, she wants it.! Even he knows it. But, he can’t even manage to spend some quality time with Maria and Jennie is in a competition to earn more than her spouse. They leave to office even before she wakes up and she goes for sleep before their return.And she is only three. This corporate life, business deals, turnovers and all are far beyond her knowledge.

*************

Sunday came again. Surprisingly, he was not quite busy this week. He thought of spending the day with Maria. He remembered about the circus show next street. He soon arranged two tickets for them. He was sure Jennie would dismiss this idea as ridiculous. He asked Maria to dress up quickly.

“Dad where are we going?!” she asked with utter curiosity. Her eyes were shining brightly. He found her to be the beautiful child in the world.

“Daddy….are you listening!? Where are we going?” she enquired.

“hmm..Circus..to see circus show!” I said.

“Is it dad!?” she asked in amusement. Her hilarity was a ‘must-watch’. A bright glint occupied her face and her face glowed with happiness. She jumped and clapped her hands. “circus..circus..” she roared midway. She was super excited in short. He just smiled at her.

***************

Maria was looking everywhere. The ambience seemed colourful. She clutched David’s fingers tightly. She grabbed Ben which got stuck in the mob. “Don’t leave my hand, Ben.! “ she warned it. And David passed a smile at her concern. The show started within a few minutes. She was very much eager to watch it. She saw all those animals in real which she has only seen in TV. She saw girls swinging on ropes, some dancing, some doing acrobatics. Some did very adventurous things. She held David’s hands due to fear when a man did some motorbike stunt. She loved the jokers. She nictitated with joy. She shouted ‘once more’ with the mob. Every time something new appeared, she held David’s hand and said, “Dad..Look at it..!”. She was in the epitome of excitement. But David looked at his kid all the while. He saw the radiance on her face, the happiness it reflects. Her smile and the tiny little applause with merry and “Ben...are you seeing this..” and all was delightful to watch. She was laughing her heart out. When jokers entered the screen, she kept her tiny hands on the tummy and started laughing madly. When was the last time he saw Maria laughing like this!? He thought. He thought even harder. Was it when Jennie gifted her something? No... Jennie gifts her only video games which she doesn’t even use. No...he doesn’t remember! When was the last time he has seen this vibrancy on her face?! Was it on her last birthday? No! He hasn’t been on any of her birthday parties. Was it when she got Ben!? But who gifted her this toy and when!? He felt helpless and held his head down due to chagrin. He didn’t know a thing about his kid. Not her favourite colour, nor her food, not even about Ben. In this stupid race of life, did he ever care his child, he thought. No, would be the answer. He knows. Never has he cared to cancel a meeting to attend her b’day party, nor had he cared to look at the simple drawings she drew, nor did he manage to come early from office to eat and play with her. He has never been there beside her when she needed him. He closed his eyes with dismay.

“Dad….its over..!” she waked him up.

“What!?” he asked in sudden.

“Yes dad…the show is over!” she stated.

David rubbed his eyes and stood up. “Okay...Let’s go home baby..!”- said David.

“No…please dad, not home...I want to see the show once again!” she pleaded ‘not to go to home’.

Before David could say anything, she grabbed his hands and started hanging on it. “Please daddy..please.” she pouted.

“Okay...Okay…we will see it once again...Anyway I missed some parts coz I slept! Let’s watch it all over again!” David agreed in no time.

She hugged me tightly and started dancing. Waving her hands on air freely, she started circling him. She jumped, laughed and danced. The frills of her red frock swayed rhythmically with her beats. She sung in a quite tone. “My daddy is the best…he is the best...He’s the worlds best daddy!”

'What!? Am I the best father?! No…I am not at all the best. How could she tell I am the best? Have I ever done anything like that to be the best!? Still she calls me best'. David thought. He was surprised at her and in no time tasted salt.

He gently grabbed Maria and hugged her. He promised to himself that he’ll try to be the best daddy!

The music echoed in the stadium again for a ‘new beginning’!